Outdated or Not? A Case Study of How 3D Desktop VR Is Accepted Today

Virtual reality (VR) is believed to be a beneficial medium for teaching and learning. While many researchers are pursuing more advanced VR technologies, devices, or systems to provide users or learners with more immersive and interactive VR learning experiences, many people have not even experienced some basic VR systems. In this paper, we investigated a straightforward question, “How do learners perceive their learning experience in a legacy VR system?” using OpenSimulator to host a VR online orientation. The results indicate that it was many participants’ first-time experiencing VR. Even if the VR system we used might seem outdated using today’s criteria, most enjoyed it very much and felt immersed in the VR world. The results implied that, though advanced immersive VR technology provides a better experience, a legacy VR system such as OpenSimulator may still be helpful in particular learning activities for specific learning populations.